Honda CR-Z

Fans of the CR-X 2-seater, rejoice. Honda has heard your pleas!

Fans of the CR-X 2-seater, rejoice. Honda has heard your pleas for a 21st century version of this sporty econocar and has developed the CR-Z concept, the spiritual if not eventual heir to the CR-X legacy.

Not only would the CR-Z appeal to those fans, but also, its hybrid powerplant will certainly appeal to buyers of that other Honda 2-seater, the Insight.

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The concept's initials stand for Compact Renaissance Zero, which announces a rebirth in compact-car design mated with leading-edge hybrid technology. The CR-Z has a bold single-frame grille, and a sculpted body that owes more to Italian than Japanese design. The glass roof carries down through the hatch, a design cue from the last-generation CR-X.

The interior design is "high-tech and sporty," according to Honda. The seats use a simple mesh material on simple frames to provide a light and airy feel to the cabin. The instrument panel is encased in a large glass piece illuminated by indirect lighting.

Although Honda is not being specific on the hybrid drive, insiders expect the CR-Z will be a front-engine, front-drive layout. Power will come from a 4-cylinder gasoline engine with Honda's integrated hybrid drive that uses supercapacitors for an electric boost on acceleration.

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